Air pollution won't be problem but rather it's Indias more humid weather conditions. Idk if M88 is flat rated, probably not.
LCA AF Mk2 (Medium Weight Fighter) - News and discussions
- Thread starter Schwifty
- Start date
US engine deal is now a huge toss-up. That is why we're silently working with the French for an alternative engine. Don't expect gov. or HAL to accept it publically. MK2 is a vital solution for IAF's depleting squadron strength problem and a stepping stone to AMCA. It is happening irrespective of whether some MRFA supporters want it or not. Period.
PS: I am still hoping that we will sign GE F414 local manufacturing deal. Even if this deal falls through, we could still procure this engine directly from US. Let's see.......
Hellfire's been saying that for years, but I think he's gonna be wrong here.
The LCA is very easy to produce and production can be ramped up to any number necessary, all three variants. Plus production is more or less sequential between Mk1A and Mk2. He believes that HAL does not have the ability to deliver 180 LCAs in time for Mk2 deliveries to begin, and Mk2 will get superceded by future jets. I obviously believe it's feasible to get all 180 jets inducted by 2033 at worst.
The only major hurdle is American engine supply, but while exports may not be possible, at least the Americans are delivering enough to address the IAF's requirements.
The IAF is offering another order of 180 jets if a private company is allowed to become a lead integrator alongside HAL getting an order of 118. So other production options are available too.
The Government has committed $1 billion + to the MWF programme, they won't have put in this much amount if it was just a TD programme.
He means it will become a TD even after spending so much, like Kaveri.
Prototype rollout in 2026
LCA Mk.1A: HAL has established two production lines in Bengaluru. A third production line is being established at HAL Nasik to increase the total production capacity to 24 aircraft per year and ensure delivery as per contract timelines. HAL is set to roll out the first Tejas Mk.1A from the third line in 2025. (Vayu Pix 2 and 3)
LCA Mk. 2: The structural assembly of the first prototype aircraft is under progress and the roll out of the prototype aircraft is planned for 2026.
LCA Mk.1A: HAL has established two production lines in Bengaluru. A third production line is being established at HAL Nasik to increase the total production capacity to 24 aircraft per year and ensure delivery as per contract timelines. HAL is set to roll out the first Tejas Mk.1A from the third line in 2025. (Vayu Pix 2 and 3)
LCA Mk. 2: The structural assembly of the first prototype aircraft is under progress and the roll out of the prototype aircraft is planned for 2026.
So it has shifted to 2026, why do I even trust HAL to deliver on their timelines.
roll out pushed back by 4 years in 4 years. The new definition of "stall" ?
I think the statement by DRDO chief in Aug 2024 is most realistic
HAL can not start work until they have agreed work share part jointly with ADA and ADA is supposed to oversee the whole process, which in turn ADA also rely on MoD approving their CDR file pushed at MoD.
Now ask what was MoD doing all along ? the most important stakeholder without whose nod not even a dot can be marked on a piece of paper always remain silent and the only one who is not going to give you an explanatory answer or even allow you to ask a question because RM is a politician taking office every 5 years. This ecosystem is self serving and you or I are not going to change it.
exactly, for a change Dr Kamat has given more realistic timeline of MM projects even if those are for development work mostly and do not cover production phase often. DRDO also probably consider LSP under test by user as inducted system.
Fair point. Though it is likely that the French engine collaboration angle (if true) will delay the deliveries of Mk2. Which explains the potential additional order for 97 Mk1a. It doesn't make sense to induct more Mk1a of the Mk2 is ready for production by the time the current order of 83 Mk1a is fulfilled.
They lie to survive. Nobody believes their schedules, our ACM recently told that publicly.
Look for all the bash the design agencies get or HAL get, why no one ever call out MoD not even giving go ahead for the prototype building directly ? why was it cleared in 2022 late or 2023 ? because there are procedures Govt design agencies have to follow. That procedure itself get amended every 5 years. Along with all this, Govt side demanded more indigenous content , local engine production ToT based agreement all tied up and only after that they would give green signal to proceed.
For all of you now asking this or that, or the journos in expos, has anyone ever asked the officials or scientists about how the design models they are showing in expo halls, under what condition can these go to prototype building stage and whether govt approval needed at each step for that are already available or not ? No, nobudy has ever asked those questions and frankly people completely unaware of how many signatures a file need before final clearance. A simple technical committee report for a single tender need 5-6 high level officer signature before the work order is placed.
Major issue lies within the MoD, the RM, RRM and all high level officer too, not just the process implementing technical officers or finance guys. The stakeholders are fine with delay. So it is impossible for non factor masses to even change anything.
For all of you now asking this or that, or the journos in expos, has anyone ever asked the officials or scientists about how the design models they are showing in expo halls, under what condition can these go to prototype building stage and whether govt approval needed at each step for that are already available or not ? No, nobudy has ever asked those questions and frankly people completely unaware of how many signatures a file need before final clearance. A simple technical committee report for a single tender need 5-6 high level officer signature before the work order is placed.
Major issue lies within the MoD, the RM, RRM and all high level officer too, not just the process implementing technical officers or finance guys. The stakeholders are fine with delay. So it is impossible for non factor masses to even change anything.
I think Tejas mk2 prototype is still on schedule. Nothing much has changed it was either going to be late 2025 or early 2026. And as far as some of the information available in public domain the prototype works seems to be 70% done. So I don't see the prototype getting delayed beyond 2026.
Mk2 is coming. Too much money and effort and hopes pinned on it already. Lets hope it will be there facing Pakistan and firing Astras by the next conflict, assuming it's 6-7 years away.
